As we saw in our previous devotional, the apostle Paul had planned to visit the Corinthian church on his way to and from Macedonia. But he reconsidered this plan and decided not to go through with it. Unfortunately, this reconsideration played right into the hands of those who were opposing him.
Some people in Corinth were trying to undermine Paul’s authority. They were using his decision not to come as evidence of indecision – as though he were unreliable and wishy-washy.
Paul’s Dealings with the Corinthians
In 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4, we see most of Paul’s response and explanation to the Corinthians. However, this was more than just an explanation. Verse four of chapter two really gets at the heart of Paul’s response:
I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
(NLT)
Paul is referring to a letter that was written after 1 Corinthians while he was still away. He was trying to address severe sin issues going on among the Corinthian Christians. But if he visited, it would probably be taken the wrong way.
Paul didn’t want his visit to come across as a way to force them to submit to his expectations. He didn’t want the Corinthians to think he was trying to lord over them. He wanted them to realize that he did what he did out of love so that they would hear what he had to say.
This is revealed in 1:24:
But I call God to witness against me – it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
Paul wanted to work with the Corinthians – not domineer or harp on them. Out of true love, he saw the proper time and place for addressing issues, rebuking and correcting.
When Paul rebuked, he did it in love.
Addressing Issues in the Church Today
In the church today, rebuke and correction are often neglected. We tend to avoid issues and look the other way. The problem is, the issue doesn’t go away – it just grows into a bigger issue for later on.
When we do respond to issues within the church, we need to do it in love. We need to do what’s best for the whole church as well as individual Christians. That means laying our own preferences aside and acting in congruence with the gospel. Doing this will help us know when to speak up, but also when to be silent.
The truth really does hurt sometimes. And we must never purposely use the truth to hurt somebody. It’s necessary to rebuke and discipline, but it’s more necessary to do it in love like Christ does (see Revelation 3:19).
As Christians, we must understand how important rebuke and discipline is. But we must also understand when and how to do it. “When” is answered through prayerful, biblical thought. “How” is answered in Christ’s example of sacrificial love.
Devotional streamed on Facebook Live – Wednesday, Mar. 25 @ 3:00 PM
